Preparing for Cosmetic Surgery in Istanbul: A 14-Point Checklist

This list was prepared for local and international patients undergoing planned cosmetic surgery or a hair transplant in Istanbul. Some items matter most for surgical patients receiving general anesthesia; for procedures performed under local anesthesia, such as hair transplants, certain steps are less demanding. Your surgeon and patient coordinator will clarify which items apply to you. This article does not replace a consultation; it helps you arrive at one prepared.

A preoperative assessment is only as safe as the surgeon's knowledge of you. The three items below ensure that you share complete information at the first meeting.

• 1. ID and passport: A valid identity document is required for hospital registration and the anesthesia consent form; international patients should keep their passport with them.
• 2. Records of previous surgeries and illnesses: Always tell your surgeon about prior operations, any problems experienced under anesthesia, chronic conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, heart disease), and any tendency to bleed. If you have reports, bring a summary in Turkish or English.
• 3. Allergy and medication list: Prepare a written list of any allergies to antibiotics, painkillers, latex, or anesthetic agents, along with the name and dose of every medication you take regularly. This list directly shapes the anesthesiologist's plan.

4. Blood tests: Before any operation under general anesthesia, a complete blood count, bleeding and clotting tests, fasting blood glucose, kidney and liver function tests, and hepatitis and HIV screening are requested as standard. In most cases the tests are done on the day you arrive in Istanbul or the day before; if you have recent results from your home country, your surgeon will review those as well.

5. ECG, chest X-ray, and the anesthesia consultation: Depending on your age and existing conditions, an ECG and a chest X-ray may be requested. The anesthesiologist sees you separately before surgery to assess your airway, heart and lung status, and medications. This consultation cannot be skipped; clearance for surgery is given only after it.

6. Blood thinners and painkillers: Anticoagulants such as aspirin, clopidogrel, and warfarin, as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen and naproxen, increase the risk of bleeding. Only your surgeon decides when and how these medications are stopped. If you take them for a heart or vascular condition in particular, do not stop them on your own; discuss it with the physician who prescribed them as well.

7. Herbal supplements and hormonal medications: Supplements containing omega-3, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, garlic, and ginger can also increase bleeding; they are usually stopped 1–2 weeks before surgery. Birth control pills and hormone therapies may affect clot risk, so they must be reported to your surgeon. The anesthesiologist will tell you separately which medications to take with a sip of water on the morning of surgery.

8. Smoking: Nicotine constricts blood vessels and impairs the blood supply to tissue; it delays wound healing and raises the risk of tissue loss, especially in operations such as facelifts and tummy tucks where large areas of skin are lifted. Cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and nicotine patches are usually to be stopped at least 4 weeks before surgery and avoided throughout recovery.

9. Alcohol and diet: Alcohol increases the tendency to bleed and swell and interacts with anesthetic drugs; it is stopped at least one week before surgery. In the days before the operation, a protein-rich, low-salt diet helps limit swelling. The fasting period before general anesthesia (usually 6–8 hours) is communicated clearly by the anesthesia team; if this rule is not followed, the operation is postponed.

10. Arrival time: Arriving in Istanbul at least one day before surgery, preferably during daytime hours, is necessary for lab tests, the consultation, and rest. Flying in and going into surgery on the same day is not accepted at most clinics.

11. Return flight: Do not lock in your return date without your surgeon's approval; you will not be cleared to fly until steps such as splint removal, drain removal, or a suture check are complete. Because long flights carry a risk of blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis), choosing an aisle seat, walking every hour, and wearing compression stockings if your surgeon recommends them are advised. A flexible-date ticket gives your recovery room without squeezing the schedule.

Airport transfers, transportation between the hospital and your accommodation, and the times of your follow-up appointments are shared in writing in advance, with a buffer built in for Istanbul traffic. If you need an interpreter, letting the team know before arrival ensures that the consultation and consent discussions are fully understood.

12. Accommodation: Choose lodging that is close to the hospital and clinic, has an elevator, and is easy to reach. Since you will need to sleep with your head elevated during the first days, extra pillows or an adjustable headboard will make things easier. A quiet room, easy-to-prepare food, and a pharmacy nearby determine how comfortable your recovery is.

13. Companion: You are expected not to be alone during the first 24–48 hours after general anesthesia. If you will not have a relative or friend with you, tell your coordinator in advance; a plan is made for someone to support you with medication times, dressing changes, and any questions after discharge. For major operations (tummy tuck, combined body contouring), a companion is often mandatory.

A companion's role goes beyond keeping you company: it also includes tracking medication times, accompanying you on walks during the first days, calling the clinic if anything unexpected comes up, and handling communication so that you are not forced to make decisions on your own. This is why the companion is also asked to read the written instructions given at discharge.

14. Follow-up schedule: The length of your stay in Istanbul is set by the follow-up appointments, which vary by procedure. Splint removal and the first check after rhinoplasty, the drain and compression garment check after liposuction, and the first wash and scab monitoring after a hair transplant all take place during this period. After you return home, follow-up continues through photographs you send at regular intervals and online consultations. If sutures need to be removed, where and when this will happen is given to you in writing at discharge.

Planning the follow-up schedule together with your flights and your return to work prevents rushed decisions after surgery. Make sure you have a contact line you can reach 24 hours a day in case of an emergency.

Once you have completed the list, ask yourself these five questions on the evening before surgery.

• Have you confirmed your fasting cutoff time and which medications to take in the morning?
• Have you removed nail polish, jewelry, contact lenses, and makeup? This is required for monitoring during anesthesia.
• Do you have loose, front-buttoning clothes and comfortable shoes ready? Clothes that go over the head are a problem after facial and nasal surgery.
• Does your companion have the hospital address, floor, and contact details?
• Have you planned your supply of food, water, and medication for the first days after surgery?